Barnsley have submitted a bid for Everton defensive midfielder Joe Williams, according to a report.

Sky Sports claimed on their live transfer blog on Tuesday [05:30PM] that the Toffees have emphatically turned down the offer from the Championship club, where Williams, 21, is currently on loan until the end of the season.

It is understood that Everton are not interested in selling the midfield enforcer at this time and want him to see out the rest of his loan spell at Oakwell.

The Liverpool Echo has reported that Barnsley’s offer is worth £1million and are eager to see his temporary deal at the Yorkshire club turn into a permanent one before the end of the January transfer window.

Williams has been in top form for Barnsley this season, making 28 appearances across all competitions and scoring one goal in the process.

He has never made a senior appearance for Everton.

Football Insider verdict

It is strange that Everton have turned down £1million for Williams. The Liverpool-born midfielder has never made an appearance for the first-team and does not appear as though he will have any chances to build upon that in the near future. Williams has done well at Barnsley and it may be best for all parties if the Goodison Park academy graduate was allowed to leave the club. The Championship appears to be his level at the moment but once he has played one or two season in the second-tier, he may be ready for the Premier League one day. That’s not something Everton should count on though as they should have their goals set a lot higher.